Press Coverage

Gov. Greg Abbott took another strong stand in his fight against human trafficking this month when he declared January Human Trafficking Prevention Month, calling on all Texans to learn more about what they can do to help end the problem.

Last month, our organizations — Texas Appleseed and Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) — released the most comprehensive study to date of youth homelessness in Texas. The study revealed that youth homelessness is a serious problem in Texas, affecting urban and rural communities alike.

Homeless youth in Texas like Kemp are inadequately supported due to a spotty system of programs and resources, according to a new report released Wednesday by Texas Appleseed and Texas Network of Youth Services.

The needs of homeless and runaway youth in Texas are not being adequately addressed in the Lone Star State, a study by two advocacy groups has found.
The study, conducted by Texas Appleseed and Texas Network of Youth Service, which focus on social justice and children's rights, examined the root causes of youth homelessness, the myriad negative consequences that flow from it and possible solutions.

Gage Kemp was 16 when he and his father were evicted from their home in Allen, a suburb of Dallas, and had to move into a motel. Kemp’s father, who struggled with alcoholism, urged him to drop out of high school and get a job to help pay the bills. Kemp was one of more than 100,000 homeless students attending Texas public schools, and therefore was eligible for assistance in getting transportation to and from class, buying supplies and clothes, and other services.